in the works~

     I'll be the first to tell you that I'm new to blogging - love to follow blogs, but I'm  just starting out with my own.  Two things I'm working on:  I'm in the process of learning how to create a Blog Button.  I have 2 buttons on my blog:  one from Boston Bee, & one from Gussy Sews.  When I create my button, other blogs can post my button for me...I'll get there.  Also, I'm working on having the photos at the bottom of my blog become links that take you to a slide show of 3 childrens' bedrooms that I've painted.  Like the title says, in the works!!  Thanks for following!

quotes...

I enjoy reading quotes, & keeping certain ones close to my heart~  Here's one from a book I'm reading titled, The Gift of an Ordinary Day, A Mother's Memoir, by Katrina Kenison.

"Our gift is often paired with a wound...Our strength seems to be born of our suffering, growing and flowering out of our limitations."

Do you have a favorite quote, one that you keep with you always? 

pirate party

~The invites went out, the goody bags (treasure chests) were filled, and the party happened!  We had a lot of fun with seven 5 year old boys:  we painted pirates, ate pizza & cake, and opened very thoughtful gifts!  The boys all left with a treasure chest full of pirate goodies, and fun was had by all!  Happy 5th birthday to my little man!!  xoxo

chores...

We started a new chore chart with our son...first, we asked for his input on what he should be responsible for.  We got out the label maker, & Michael helped to spell out his chores (fun sounding out words with a 5 yr. old), then we hung it on our frig.  Next, we found these cute magnetic containers at WalMart, and labeled them as well.  For completing his chores each week, he receives 3 tickets:  one for savings, one for charity, & one for spending.  Each ticket = one dollar.  The spending container has money in it at the moment from a birthday card he received!  Now, when he wants to purchase something, he needs to consult his spending container, not Mom or Dad. It's been working really well so far!!  :) 

fixer~upper

This was my Grama's bedside table, in her home at the Cape.  I inherited it when she passed away, and finally refinished it with a cocoa paint to use as a side table in my living room.  I purchased these paper drawer liners, too.  I'm so excited that it's a part of my home now!!  Thank you Grama!

to-do-list...

One more day of school, until February vacation...I've started my to-do-list already...

Do you live by lists?  They make me feel organized , and keep me focused on my goals.  I never feel as though I need to complete my list, but it helps give me a sense of accomplishment.

Here's what it looks like so far:

1. pick gray paint for front door
2. organize & clean out coat closet
3. visit the Salvation Army with bags of clothes
4. Play Star Wars with Michael (Lightsabers...or Lightsavers, as he call them)
5. finish goody bags for Michael's birthday party
6. write thank you's
7. correct gobs of papers from this past week at school 
8. play with Michael
9. and, play with Michael
10. and...take a few family naps!

5 years ago today...I became a MOM!!!  What an amazing experience it has been! I love my little man!  xoxo

 

 

moments...

~Hope you enjoyed today spending some special, quiet moments with the people you love the most!!  I certainly did! xoxo

...toes in the sand...

I have found myself thinking a lot about the beach lately...I think winter is getting to me.  Here's my little man with his toes in the sand ~ our favorite place to be!  Happy weekend everyone - enjoy time with family!!

heart song

~This song melts my heart...especially when my son sings it with me! 

What is your heart song?

The groundhog DID see his shadow - right?  Here's our cozy home, covered in snow & icicles...and it's snowing again as I type.  I'm going to go to bed & dream of sandy Cape Cod beaches, flip flops, and cut-off jeans.   Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

We are now 8 snow days further into summer...I love New England for summer, fall, & spring!  Anyway, my son & I worked on another Valentine craft for our front door.  He is very excited for Valentine's Day, because his birthday is the day after!!  What do you think? 

A big THANKS to my great friend, Aly, who is helping me tweak my blog...before going public! xoxo

 I'm keeping it positive...after quite a few snow days, & snow piles much higher than my almost~ 5~ year~ old, i'm going to focus on decorating the house for Valentine's Day! love is in the air!!

here's a craft my son and i call our Valentine tree...we used a heart cookie cutter to cut out dough shapes, painted them, cut some twigs from outside & placed them in a vase surrounded by family photos...